Raincoat



J. KAPLAN RAINCOAT Aug. 4, 1959 Filed Oct. 7, 1957 INVENTOR (b55 1 KAPLA/v W ATTORNEYS Sta This invention relates to a raincoat and more particularly relates to an improved raincoat which provides protection from the rain while at the same time permitting free movement of the wearers arms for engagement in sports such as golfing.

The provision of garments to provide protection from rain is an art which probably anted'ates history. Over the years, this type of garment has been adapted to-many specialized forms to provide protection to wearers engaged in various different types of activities. That is to say, raincoats have been designed specifically for fishermen, hunters, and golfers, and the like to allow them to engage in their chosen sport during a light rain. The present invention relates to one such specialized type of raincoat which is adapted primarily for use by golfers and which is designed in such a way as to provide a maximum of protection from the weather while permitting absolute freedom of movement of the golfers arms.

While I am aware that raincoats have previously been produced with the specific purpose of permitting free arm movement, the raincoats of which I am cognizant are either of such a construction as to entail a high manufacturing costs, restrict movement of the body, or do not provide adequate protection from the rain. Raincoats having full sleeves in the conventional manner are objectionable to golfers in that the sleeves interfere with their swing and at the very least diminish the pleasure which they derive from the game. In many instances, prior golfing raincoats have been full length garments and this, too, has been found objectionable in that it tends to interfere with the vigorous movement necessary. In those instances where prior garments have provided free arm and body movement, insuflicient protection has usually resulted.

According to my invention, I provide a one-piece garment which is formed into a raincoat having only two seams. Sleeves in the conventional sense are not utilized but a special shoulder protecting overhang is provided which maintains the wearers shoulders dry without in any way interfering with freedom of arm movement. The front of the garment may be closed by inexpensive snap fasteners and the garment may be formed of inexpensive plastic materials which not only results in a low manufacturing cost but also permits storage of the raincoat in a very small space.

It is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to provide a raincoat for athletes such as golfers which provides simultaneous protection from the weather and freedom of movement for the arms and body.

It is another object of the invention to provide a raincoat for golfers of the foregoing type which is of such simple construction as to be produceable at a very low cost from materials which permit of compact storage.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reference to the following specification and claims and appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a raincoat constructed according to the invention;

atent Figure 2' is a back elevation of a raincoat constructed according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the material from which the raincoat is formed shown during one step in manufacture of the raincoat;

Figure 4 is a cross section showing the method of: attachment of the snap fasteners to the raincoat; and

Figure 5 is a cross section showing a .sideseam.

Referring more particularly to Figure 3 of the drawing, the raincoat of my invention is formed from a single piece of material 10, which is folded along a line 12 for cutting. A semi-circular neck hole -14 is cut in the folded edge of the material to the left of the center line 16, the cut-out portion 14 representing one-half. of the finished hole because of the folded condition of the material.

The folded edge 12 to the left of theneck hole 14 is thenslit to form a pair of edges 25.

The unfolded edges 18 of the material are provided with an outwardly extending rounded-section 20 centered along the center line 16. At either side of the outwardly extending section 20, generally semi-circular cut-outs 22 and 24 extend into the edges 18 of the material. The outwardly extending section 20 preferably extends out beyond the edges 18 the same distance that the cut-outs 22 and 24 are cut into the edges 18. The cuts 14, 20, 22 and 24 are the only non-linear cuts which need be made in the material. It will be seen from Figure 3 that the material from which the garment is formed has a length equal to approximately twice its width and is rectangular in shape.

After the material is cut in the form shown in Figure 3, it is unfolded and refolded along the center line 16 into the shape shown in Figures 1 and 2. The side edges 18 are then sewn along seams 26 and 28 in the manner shown in detail in Figure 5. Strips of snap type or equivalent fasteners 30 are sewn along the edges 25 as is shown in detail in Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 4 the edges '25 of the plastic material are folded back at 27 and 29 and receive stitching 31 which attaches the fastener strips. To permit the fasteners to be attached with a minimum of labor they are supplied attached to strips of fabric 33 and 35 which are doubled and held by the' stitches 31. The base 37 of fastener half 39 is thus received between the folds of strip 33, while the base 41 of fastener half 42 is received between the folds of strip 35. All fasteners are thus attached to the plastic by mere stitching operations.

The neck hole 14 and arm holes may then be seamed, although this is not necessary with all plastic materials. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that this provides a garment having no shoulder seams nor sleeves, but having shoulder overhangs 32 and 34 which extend beyond the sides of the garment defined by the seams 26 and 28. The arm holes are shaped in a unique fashion with inwardly cut portions 36 and 38 underlying the overhangs 32 and 34. It has been found that this provides complete freedom of movement for the wearers arms while the overhangs protect the wearers shoulders from the elements. The raincoat preferably does not extend below the wearers crotch in order to prevent any interference with the golfers swing.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that my raincoat may be produced from a single piece of material with a minimum of cutting and that only two seams are necessary. The aggravation and interference normally caused by full or even partial sleeves, is eliminated, while at the same time full protection is afforded to the wearers shoulders. Shoulder seams are unnecessary and the garment may be closed by means of simple snap fasteners.

the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

. 1'. A raincoat comprising a single piece of material folded along a horizontal line to form shoulders and having a neck hole tangential to said fold, said material being cut from said neck hole to the edge thereof and provided with fastening means along the edges soformed, seams at the sides of said coat parallel to said edges forming the sides of the torso of said coat, said material being cut inwardly at the tops of said seams to form arm holes other, said inward arm hole cuts extending inward of said seams substantially the same distance that said over hangs extend outward of said scams.

2. In a raincoat blank a generally rectangular piece of material having a length equal to approximately twice its width and folded along the center of its length, said material having a semicircular hole in the folded edge of said material on one side of a centerline perpendicular to said fold, said material being cut along said fold from the edge of said hole opposite said centerline, said material having a rounded extension extending outwardly along said centerline from the edge opposite said 7 hole, said material being cut inwardly from the edges on and being cut outwardly above said inward cuts to said 7 both sides of said outward extension, said inward cuts extending inwardly substantially the same distance said outward extension extends outward item the edge opposite said hole.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,055,703 Brown et al. Mar. 11, 1913 2,419,989 Day May 6, 1947 2,688,750 Mink .1.. Sept. 14, 1954 2,707,284 Artzt May 3, 1955 2,745,160,, Jones May 15, 1956 

